Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   
     There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.
~Alfred Austin~

9 FLOWERS YOU SHOULD PLANT
 IN YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN
lavenderhomefront.com

     Companion planting is one of the most beneficial ways to grow a garden. Growing certain plants together can encourage healthy growth, repel harmful insects, and attract beneficial insects. Flowers can be planted in your vegetable garden to achieve a healthier and thriving garden.

PLANT FLOWERS WITH VEGETABLES
 TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY GROWTH

     There are many plants out there that can improve the growth on your vegetable garden. Below is a list of flowers that can be added to your garden, and how these flowers help promote healthy and prolific vegetable plants.

BORAGE
     Borage is a Mediterranean herb that grows best in warm climates. Although is can be planted in other gardening zones as well. I have had success growing it in Montana by starting it indoors early. This cucumber scented flower is known for attracting bees and other pollinators, repelling hornworms and is said to improve the taste of tomatoes, if planted nearby. Both the leaves and blooms of the Borage plant can be eaten and have a cucumber-like flavor. Borage should be planted with: tomatoes, squash and strawberries.

CALENDULA
      Calendula is a yellow flowering plant that grows best in cooler climates with low humidity. This flower will help repel aphids and attract pollinators to the garden. Another benefit, calendula has thick roots, and acts as a living mulch, protecting to soil from the sun and retaining moisture for your vegetable garden. This plant has edible leaves, and if you keep the flowers trimmed back, this plant will flower from spring until fall. Calendula should be planted with: peas, carrots, asparagus and spring salad lettuces.

CHAMOMILE
     This cheerful, white flower is such a great plant to grow in the vegetable garden. Standing alone, Chamomile is perfect for tinctures and teas. So plant this flower even if you aren’t planting a vegetable garden! This plant also helps improve the growth and flavor of many plants. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties as well, helping with mold, mildew and blight. This flowers is a cool weather, partial shade plant. Chamomile grows best with: cabbage, onions, beans, cucumbers, broccoli, kale and brussel sprouts.

COSMOS
     Cosmos are gorgeous, colorful flowers that do well in warm weather and are incredibly easy to grow! These happy blooms can be added to almost any garden bed as they grow anywhere. Cosmos do great job attracting pollinators. Their bright colors attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Grow near tomatoes, and other flowering vegetables, to encourage additional pollination. Cosmos also attract aphids. Plant them near aphid prone plants to deter aphids from your vegetables and fruits. Instead, attract them to your cosmos.

LAVENDER
     Lavender is one of my favorite flowers and herbs. This fragrant flower has many different varieties ranging from very hardy (English Lavender), and more delicate (French Lavender). Regardless of type, lavender does a great job attracting pollinators. Butterflies and bees love lavender and will visit your garden more frequently if planted nearby. Lavender should be planted with: brussel sprouts, celery, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Lavender’s strong scent repels harmful insects like cabbageworms. It can also help at repel larger pests such as deer and rabbits.

MARIGOLDS
     Marigolds are easy-to-grow, happy plants, that do well in almost any climate. These bright flowers are great to have in the garden as they attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Marigolds do a great job repelling insects, specifically nematodes, which tend to attack tomatoes. Calendula and marigolds are not the same thing, although calendula is called a “pot marigold.” Calendula is edible and marigolds usually are not. Plant these flowers with tomatoes, beans and cucumbers. Although they do well helping almost any vegetable. If the soil conditions aren’t the same, just grow your marigolds in pots as they are easy to grow in containers as well!

NASTURTIUMS
     Nasturtiums are sun loving flowers that grow in almost any zone. These pretty flowers attract hoverflies, which kill and eat aphids, so be sure to plant them near aphid prone vegetables.  They also repel blackflies and slugs. Plant nasturtiums with broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, beets, pumpkin and zucchini. Nasturtiums are also edible, so you don’t need to grow them for their companion planting benefits.

SWEET ALYSSUM
     Sweet alyssum is a small, white flowering plant that acts as ground cover in the garden. This hard working flower attracts many beneficial insects to include: crab spiders, ladybugs, predatory wasps and lacewings. The ground cover of the sweet alyssum also acts as a living mulch, which helps retain moisture for its companion plants and prevent weed growth in the garden bed. Plant sweet alyssum with onion, chives, broccoli and carrots.

ZINNIA
     Zinnias are colorful, sun love flowers that grow in almost any zone, and prefer fertile, well-drained soil. These bright blooms attract so many pollinators, but particularly butterflies and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds eat whiteflies, which like to feast on tomatoes, cucumbers and potatoes. Zinnias are also helpful in repelling cucumber beetles and tomato worms. Plant these beautiful flowers near your tomatoes, cucumbers and potatoes. Also be sure to plant them during the fall, for monarch butterflies during migration.

FINAL THOUGHTS
When planting a vegetable garden this year, be sure not to overlook companion flowers. By adding these wonderful flowers to your vegetable garden, your vegetables will grow healthier, and produce higher yields, all with less work!

TOP LEFT - "L" SIDE OF FULL LENGTH GARDEN
TOP RIGHT - SWEET POTATOES - BELL PEPPERS
 (SHORT SIDE OF "L")
CENTER - CABBAGES - CURLY KALE - BROCCOLI
LOWER LEFT - CURLY KALE - MUSTARD GREENS - SCALLIONS - 
CELERY - BASIL - LAVENDER - ROMANE LETTUCE
LOWER RIGHT - LEEKS - BELL PEPPERS - TOMATOES - SAGE

Kenneth Davis

     While representing your website administrators (Estella, Joycelyn & I), I'm extending our most humble expressions of "Thank You" for your kind words of support and encouragement. We decided, to undertake a mission of articulating a manifesto of Love, Education, Spirituality, Encouragement, Entertainment and Compassionate expressions, with respect to the "Class of 1970" and any others who read from the website. The ideas we post come from conversations with classmates, the progressive deterioration of our physical characteristics within the "Boomer" generation and definitively, from our thriving imaginations. Just mentioning the scenario of not taking a typing class, influenced the last "Throwback Thursday". I didn't take typing in school either, but like you all, I needed the knowledge in the military. Before eventually taking a class, I used the "Hunt, Peck & Cuss" method... But now each of us are okay with whatever method we use. Besides, they've invented spell check for your computers, pads, phones and we have YouTube for research. 
    Your communications also have seemed to encourage other classmates to join in with the dialogue and we sincerely "Thank You" for motivating your classmates. We can only wish that others are influenced and began afresh. Thank you to the unsung "sheroes and heros" who continue to sign in each morning to read our posts. We also thank those who simply search for the link and read from the forum. Let us hear from each of you occassionally. For some, it's the only way to know that you haven't transitioned. If there's any assistance you may require with the website, please reach out to us. Simply go to the website link: https://www.classcreator.com/Memphis-TN-B-T-Washington-1970/class_contact.cfm , place your cursor on the dropdown "Contact Us" menu and follow the instructions. Finally, we have one last request. It would be awesome if each individual would travel in the moccasins path of Patricia White Watson and update your "Master Photo". You may also update any additional information within your profile, as desired. We're still a beautiful and handsome group of seniors, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise......We're looking forward to seeing you, at the "All Classes Picnic" on May 27th!!!! May you experiance a blessed day today.... 

Margie McRae (Reed)

Kenneth Davis

Matthew 28:5-7  -  Easy-to-Read Version

5 The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. 6 But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was. 7 And go quickly and tell his followers, ‘Jesus has risen from death. He is going into Galilee and will be there before you. You will see him there.’” Then the angel said, “Now I have told you.”

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND  by Marsha Burns

    April 9, 2023: Be sensitive to My Spirit, and you will see that I am doing a very deep and lasting work in your spirit. Things that you never considered will rise up and challenge your position of faith and commitment to walk in the light of love and peace. But, you are well able to overcome every obstacle and fulfill your destiny. Be strong and unwavering. Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   

     "Here is the amazing thing about Easter; the resurrection Sunday for Christians is this, that Christ in the dying moments on the cross gives us the greatest illustration of forgiveness possible." 

~ T. D. Jakes~

 
By Faith, Not By Sight - ALIX BEAUJOUR - The Black Art Depot

     "The Bible's historical accuracy is a reminder that while "the heavens declare the glory of God," there's also plenty of evidence among the rubble and ruins." "I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible." 

~ Charles Colson~

Conductors in video: Mervyn Warren & Quincy Jones
Featured artists (video): Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Patti Austin, Bernie K., Daryl Coley, Commissioned, Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch, Clifton Davis, Mike E., Kim Fields, Larnelle Harris, Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Linda Hopkins, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Lizz Lee, Dawnn Lewis, Babbie Mason, Johnny Mathis, Marilyn McCoo, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, David Pack, Phylicia Rashad, Joe Sample, Richard Smallwood, Sounds of Blackness, Take 6, Darryl Tookes, Mervyn Warren, Thomas Whitfield, Vanessa A. Williams, & Chris Willis
Ad-Lib vocal: Daryl Coley
Add'l vocals (studio): Bob Bailey, Kim Fleming, Gayle Mayes, Donna McElroy, Mervyn Warren, Chris Willis, Angela Wright
Piano: Michael O. Jackson
Add'l keyboards: Mervyn Warren
Drum programming: Mark Hammond
Bass: Victor Wooten
Brass: Jerry Hey, Gary E. Grant, Bill Reichenbach, Dan Higgins, & Larry Williams
French horns: Eberhard Ramm & Leslie Norton

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   

     The future belongs to the learners-not the knowers. Learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. For many people, an excuse is better than an achievement because an achievement, no matter how great, leaves you having to prove yourself again in the future; but an excuse can last for life. 

~Eric Hoffer~

IT'S TIME FOR

JUST JOKING MONDAYS

     Emily had been to school for the first time. When asked what she had learned, she sighed, hopelessly. “Nuffin’. I’ve got to go back tomorrow.” 

~Christian Observer~

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.

~Rumi~

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Pay attention to the people God puts in your path if you want to discern what God is up to in your life. When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. 

~ Henri Nouwen~

Patricia White (Watson)

Amen Kenneth. These words describe a great friend better than my heart ever could. Last year,  I loss a great friend  to cancer. She was that person who could sit quietly and listen. I miss her. Thank you.  

Kenneth Davis

It is health that is real wealth

and not pieces of gold and silver. 

~Mahatma Gandhi~

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Fungi are the interface organisms between life and death. Mushrooms are miniature pharmaceutical factories, and of the thousands of mushroom species in nature, our ancestors and modern scientists have identified several dozen that have a unique combination of talents that improve our health. Fungi are the grand recyclers of the planet and the vanguard species in habitat restoration. Mushrooms have many helpful nutrients, including beta glucans for immune enhancement, ergothioneines for antioxidative potentiation, nerve growth stimulators for helping brain function, and antimicrobial compounds for limiting viruses.

~Paul Stamets~

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

What food helps prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s?

Story by Raúl González • AS USA

     With the arrival of better weather, many people are looking to resume healthy habits that may have been neglected in winter: by leading an active life, doing some form of exercise regularly, and having a healthy diet. Eating well is crucial to achieving health and fitness objectives. Button or white mushrooms are a generous source of vitamins B and D, as well as minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and iron, among others.

     Button or white mushrooms are a generous source of vitamins B and D, as well as minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and iron, among others. Among different kinds of food, button or white mushrooms stand out- the species of edible mushrooms most commonly used for cooking. They are consumed both fresh or canned, raw or cooked, as part of salads and sauces, fried or roasted, and as a garnish in many dishes.

Characteristics of button or white mushrooms

     These mushrooms are recognizable by their peculiar rounded shape, their texture, and their intense flavor. They are some of the most popular mushrooms in Western countries and can be found in supermarkets all-year-round. Originally from Europe and America, it is a source of group B and D vitamins, as well as minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and iron, among others. This composition makes it a possible ally in the prevention of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, or cognitive impairment.

Properties of button or white mushrooms

Mushrooms contain multiple and varied properties.

⦁ Low in calories. They stand out for their low calorie content. It is a perfect food for people who want to lose weight. Its fiber content also makes mushrooms filling.

⦁ Helps prevent cancer. Its action against cancer can be attributed to the presence of two fundamental active ingredients: selenium and an aromatase inhibitor.

⦁ Prevents cognitive decline. They contain two very important antioxidants in a very high concentration, which are ergothioneine and glutathione.

⦁ They are healthy. As confirmed by several studies, mushrooms help maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.

⦁ Improves the immune system. The compound that makes up its fiber, beta-glucans, makes mushrooms work as a booster for the immune system.

⦁ They influence good bone health. They are a rich source of calcium, an essential nutrient for the formation and strengthening of bones.

⦁ Antioxidants. This property is due to the existence of ergothioneine, an antioxidant that protects free radicals, responsible for aging and cell damage.

Superb Sautéed Mushrooms

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons butter

1 pound button mushrooms, sliced

1 tablespoon red cooking wine

1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce, or Worcestershire Sauce to taste

1 clove garlic, thinly sliced

¼ teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

     Heat olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, wine, teriyaki sauce, sliced garlic, garlic salt, and black pepper; cook and stir until mushrooms are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 8 more minutes.

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     On sensitive issues, talk isn't cheap - it takes real courage to pry open topics nailed shut. Those who give of themselves rarely regret it. Since governmental quotas expand bureaucratic power, provoke a backlash and are unfair to individuals, we need to find a better way to increase minority opportunities.

 ~Marvin Olasky~

“The message for all the people in Nashville who decided to expel us: You can’t expel hope. You can’t expel justice," Pearson said at the meeting, his voice rising as he spoke. ”You can’t expel our voice. And you sure can’t expel our fight.”
 
© Provided by The Associated Press
IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER

 Republic Services workers strike
 in Memphis  and Millington 
after death of co-worker at landfill....APRIL 2023

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS

TO

MARY KELLY BASS

&

ALMEDIA SHACKLEFORD ALLEN

Live your life with arms wide open.

Today is where your book begins.

The rest is still unwritten.

 ~Natasha Bedingfield~

Kenneth Davis

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   

     It's morning, and again I am that lucky person who is in it. Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields...Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness. It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world. Every day I walk out into the world to be dazzled, then to be reflective. If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. I saw that worrying had come to nothing and gave it up. And took my old body and went out into the morning, and sang.

~Mary Oliver~

WELCOME TO 
SMOOTH
 CONTEMPORARY JAZZ 
FRIDAYS

Jazzman Cool by  Leonard Jones - Artist

 Nick Colionne

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   

     There is an old saying: If you want to hide the treasure, put it in plain sight. Then no one will see it. The garden is a metaphor for life, and gardening is a symbol of the spiritual path. Our relatedness with other living forms provides us something we sorely need: a reverence for the life of all creatures great and small, and an expanded view of our place in nature–not as rulers over it, but as participants in it. 

~Larry Dossey~

Become a gardner and you'll totally disagree!!!!

How to Start a Raised Bed Garden - by Courtney, a master gardener.
Copyright 2023 @ The Kitchen Garten

     If you grew up with a gardening Granny or Granddaddy like I did, then chances are you have memories of rows of fresh vegetables popping up from the ground. It was easy to till up the rows each spring if you had a gas-powered tiller, but quite the full body workout if you didn’t. Chances are your grandparents, or whoever you knew who worked this large garden plot, did quite a bit of time weeding and maintaining. In the busy and less home-grown veggie culture of modern-day life, most people don’t have the time to maintain a large garden space. But does this mean you can’t garden? Absolutely not.  
     What if I told you a vegetable garden could be maintained in just five to ten minutes a day, several days a week? True story. The “magic” is in the raised bed. Raised beds make having fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits during the summer almost as easy as walking out your back door. Knowing how to start a raised bed kitchen garden will provide you with fresh food, exercise, and a fantastic outdoor activity for the whole family.

How to Start a Raised Bed Garden

     So what do you have to consider when learning how to start a raised bed garden for your backyard? Here are five things to consider and/or have in place when planning your raised bed garden.
Step One: Select a Location
     The first step in creating a raised bed kitchen garden is to select a location for it. Garden plants will need a location that receives 6 or more hours of sunlight per day. A great way to know where the best light is in your yard is to create a Sun Map. It only takes a little observation of your yard, and you can keep it as a reference for years. A sun map will clearly show you where the best areas for a full sun garden will be. For convenience, the raised garden bed should be close to the back door and a water source. Being close to the house means you won’t forget about it and let it go unattended. And proximity to a water source allows you to easily fill and carry a watering can or bring over an attached hose.
     A nearby water source also gives you the option of installing a watering system, so you can rest easy that your plants are being watered, even when life gets busy. Once you’ve chosen the location, you’re ready to get down to the actual raised garden bed.

Step Two: Building a Garden Bed
     The outer frame of the raised bed can be constructed with material you have on hand, buy at your local hardware store, or get from a pre-packaged kit. The frame just has to be sturdy enough to hold soil in place. Some options include landscape timbers, recycled lumber, plywood, composite material, concrete blocks, bricks, etc. When considering the material to use for your raised beds, think about the aesthetic of your yard, and what you’ll enjoy looking at day after day.
     When it comes to size, build the bed as long as desired, but no more than 4 feet wide. You need to be able to reach the middle of the raised bed from either side. There’s debate on whether to till the soil beneath a raised bed or leave it be. We have done both, and we honestly haven’t noticed a difference. In our newest raised bed (which is two years old) I actually laid thick newspaper down at the bottom to deter any grass from coming up through the new soil. This worked perfectly, and the bed has grown delicious vegetables with no problem. So, in my opinion, skip the tilling beneath raised beds. The thick layer of soil sitting on top of the grass will smother it out. 

Step Three: Fill With Soil
     While it’s nice to have a good looking raised bed garden, it’s all for naught if you fill it with something like top soil. The soil in your raised bed garden will be the medium for growing delicious and tasty vegetables, so give those plants a good start. Fill the bed with a mixture of peat moss (or coconut coir), vermiculite/perlite, and compost. Check out my post for the exact “recipe” for DIY Potting Soil. The compost will prevent soil compaction and help feed the plants. If you will be using a granulated fertilizer, you can mix it in at this time too.
     Some commercial garden soil mixtures already contain soil, compost, perlite, and granulated fertilizer in the right proportions for optimum plant growth. If you’re in a time crunch, choose this option. (I personally like Daddy Pete’s Raised Bed Mix.) There’s no shame in shortcuts, especially if it helps to encourage growing a garden. Fill the raised bed to within 2 inches of the frame top. Level out and smooth soil with rake. At this point, you’re almost ready to plant!!
Step Four: Plan and Plant
     The new raised bed garden is ready to plant with your favorite vegetables, fruits, and herbs. So, what will you grow? If you haven’t fully decided, definitely come up with a game plan. I have a great print Kitchen Garden Planner that can get you started planning your garden for any season. Without planning, you’ll find yourself in front a rack of plants and seeds buying everything that looks good. You don’t want to waste money on seeds or plants that you don’t actually have room for. A typical 4×4 raised garden bed has room for 16 square feet of growing space, and any square-foot gardening guide is a great starting place for a beginning gardener. 
     Also place the tallest growing plants away from shorter growing plants so they will not be shaded. Plant marigolds in the corners of the raised bed (or in pots beside it) to provide organic pest control and a beautiful pop of color. Zinnias are also a great choice for adding height, color, and bees to your garden. You can also add 2-4 inches of compost or mulch on top of soil after your garden plants are 6 inches tall to help soil retain moisture.

Get Started on Your Raised Bed Garden
     There’s nothing left to do but start! Knowing how to start a raised bed garden can help take away the uncertainty of gardening. It gives you a limited space, that’s easy to maintain. Before you know if you’ll be adding more beds to your garden area and eating fresh produce from your very own yard. No E-coli scares in the lettuce you’re growing yourself, so what do you have to lose? Get started on that raised bed garden now. 

Kenneth Davis

     Information was received, announcing the transition of our friend and classmate Ricky Wright. Final arrangements have not been completed to date, but will be posted upon receipt. Please keep his family uplifted in prayer.

Kenneth Davis

Those who walk with God reach their destination. 

~Henry Ford~

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS

TO

MAURICE HUNT

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Maurice Hunt

Big Thanks for the Birthday Love wishes from our ClassCreators staff , and our entire Warrior Nation as a whole. I give God all the Glory and with the Heart of Thanksgiving for all that He has, is, and in advance for what He's getting ready to do on this Journey that we share. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the staff for your due dilligence in this True Labor of Love in keeping the Spirit of Unity among our Classmates. I do pray the Love of God and that He will Shower the Great Blessings that eyes have not seen, and ears have not heard, as to what God has in store for Our Entire Warrior Nation. Stay Blessed and Safe!! 

Kenneth Davis

THE UNVEILING - PART ONE

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     April 16, 2023: The strength and power of the internal work that you have done will be revealed by your thoughts, actions, and the words of your mouth. There are areas in your life where self-control is still an issue. Victory can only be achieved as you yield to the work of My Spirit, says the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:8 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N   

THE UNVEILING - PART TWO

     Understand your darkness and it will vanish; then you will know what light is. Understand your nightmare for what it is and it will stop; then you will wake up to reality. Understand your false beliefs and they will drop; then you will know the taste of happiness. What you are aware of;  you are in control of;  what you are not aware of;  is in control of you. If you search within your heart, you will find something there that will make it possible for you to understand: a spark of disenchantment and discontent, which if fanned into flame will become a raging forest fire that will burn up the whole of the illusory world you are living in, thereby unveiling to your wondering eyes the kingdom that you have always lived in unsuspectingly. When you fight something, you're tied to it forever. As long as you're fighting it, you’re giving it power.

~Anthony de Mello~

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS
 TO 
CHARLES E. BURTON

     Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart. 

~Sarah Ban Breathnach~

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

WISDOM

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Hold everything earthly with a loose hand, but grasp eternal things with a death-like grip. Jesus wept, but He never complained. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. To acknowledge you were wrong yesterday is to acknowledge you are wiser today.

~Charles Spurgeon~

IT'S TIME FOR
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

     Dad loves to eat and does so with gusto—to the distress of my mother, who worries about his weight. One evening Dad was devouring a snack of cheese spread and crackers. As he scraped the last bit of spread from its container, he asked Mom if she wanted to save the jar. “No, it’s okay,” Mom replied. “Go ahead and eat it.”

V.A. Kelly

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)